Kia EV9 Concept : Inspired by Water

“The Kia Concept EV9 is yet another important marker for us in what has been an incredible journey since the start of the year. Having made our intentions clear – to become a global leader in sustainable mobility solutions – today we are proud to show the world our all-electric SUV concept, which fuses together an advanced zero-emissions powertrain, a cutting-edge exterior design and a contemporary and innovative tech-based interior space.

Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head, Kia Global Design Center. 

The Concept EV9 reflects the brand’s recent leadership in the design and development of appealing, high-tech, zero-emissions automobiles. The Concept EV9, like the EV6, is a specialized EV from Kia, having been precisely built and optimized on the company’s superior Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). 

Kia’s dedication to sustainable transportation solutions is represented by Concept EV9, which was recently presented at the ‘Kia Sustainability Movement’ digital presentation. The vehicle’s design was inspired by nature, and it utilizes upcycled materials derived from rubbish dumped into the fragile marine ecosystem. 

The SUV is also visually appealing, thanks to Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. The pillar of Opposites United, ‘Bold for Nature,’ had a particularly strong influence on the Kia design team. This has contributed to the all-electric SUV concept taking on an iconic and bold form, combining logical and emotional traits with playful, rough features and aesthetic elements. 

Exterior 

The Kia EV9 combines a spectacular outward profile with a modern and elegant interior space influenced by cutting-edge technology. The Concept EV9’s outstanding looks – both inside and out – have been precisely developed from Opposites United, Kia’s new design philosophy. 

With its rugged and upright stance, the Concept EV9 exhibits an adventurous, extroverted, and recreational form inspired by Opposites United’s ‘Bold for Nature’ design pillar. Such proportions help outline a three-row SUV footprint from the outside, indicating a vehicle that is extremely capable, practical, and ready for action. 

With the strong crystalline inspired fender volumes that sit high up on the vehicle, a low gravity side body generates maximum and instant impact. Because of the low side body profile effect, the Concept EV9’s fender volumes stand out, resulting in a strong SUV attitude. 

In contrast to the Concept EV9’s strong on-road presence, soft and welcoming volumes across the body are countered with crisp and precisely edged components. The volume of the soft fuselage interior has been designed to feel welcoming and approachable, while the solid rock geometry is communicated through a clever design distribution of mass. Because all-electric vehicles do not require the standard grille that ICE vehicles have, the Concept EV9 has a full body colored front that clearly displays sustainability values. 

When not in use, the Concept EV9’s innovative BEV-focused grille hides a complex star cloud pattern display that is totally hidden behind the body panel. This stunning lightshow showcases the all-electric SUV’s high-tech nature while yet paying respect to nature. Sequential patterns serve as a ‘welcome light’ for the driver as well as a means of properly positioning lights while driving. The star cloud pattern led the Kia design team to construct eye-catching vertical Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) for both the front and rear of the vehicle, resulting in a one-of-a-kind characteristic look from beginning to end. 

The hood vent duct space is used as a solar panel, which helps recover some of the electric energy used by the Concept EV9. This provides BEV users with an alternative energy source when they are not near a charging station. 

The Concept EV9’s rear features a fascinating yet delicate triangular d-pillar treatment that serves as a visual focus point and resonates with the SUV’s geometric design elements. The unique Daylight Opening (DLO) hallmark is also created by the clever d-pillar design. 

The machined 22-inch wheels add to the Concept EV9’s geometric design and robustness. To fully express the Opposites United design philosophy, a triangular aero design piece controls the airflow around the wheel and creates a visual contrast to the circular nature of the wheel, ensuring a balance in harmony extends into every element and section. 

The incredibly elegant glass construction creates a direct link to the outside environment, whether it’s sunlight streaming into the cabin on a clear day, the soothing sound of rain on a weekend drive in fall, or the peaceful sense of moonlight and stars on a perfect evening. 

Interior 

Against a backdrop of welfare, wellness, and mindfulness, the Concept EV9 has been purposefully designed to provide the driver and passengers with a transformative interior space as the travel experience evolves. 

The interior of the all-electric SUV features a design project that incorporates the qualities of nature, movement, and quiet as part of a picturesque, first-class lounge. The panoramic roof, with its views of the sky, adds to the impression of lightness and connection to the environment. 

An interactive 27-inch ultra-wide display combines the real and virtual worlds of the Concept EV9, acting as the nerve center for all driver and passenger needs, including media, climate control, and comfort functioning elements. 

This sensation of ‘future’ goes from the forward-thinking interior design to the steering wheel. The steering wheel is currently treated as a separate product – a complete standalone subsystem – in the automotive industry; the Concept EV9, on the other hand, takes a radically different approach in which the pop-up steering pad is an extension of – and integrated and harmonized within – the interior space. 

As the journey experience evolves, the inside of the Concept EV9 explores new viewpoints. The all-electric SUV boasts three forward-thinking interior modes that cater to various travel scenarios and needs. 

Inspired by water 

The Concept EV9 has a design that was influenced by nature’s simplicity and perfection, as well as how it contrasts and works in perfect harmony. In this regard, the Concept EV9 drew further inspiration from Opposites United’s ‘Water Element,’ adopting features associated with peace, calmness, and wellbeing. For example, the external hue mimics the vast depths of the ocean, which is then tempered by a relaxing and pure blue sky that pervades the interior. 

When the Kia design team was seeking for sustainable and ecological materials to use in the Concept EV9, the ‘Water Element’ idea came to the fore. The vehicle’s flooring is built from recycled fishnets, and the seating cloth is produced from recycled plastic bottles and recycled wool fibers. In addition, vegan leather was used throughout the interior space, which is considerably more ethical and ecological than traditional animal leather. Kia intends to phase out the usage of animal leather in all of its vehicles over time. 

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